Drogba: Malaria still affecting my play

Didier Drogba has admitted the Chelsea dressing room has been an "unhappy'' place during their recent slump in form and says his own performances have been hampered by his battles with injury and malaria.

Both Chelsea and their Ivorian forward Drogba have been some way short of their best since a promising start to the season, with the Blues recording just one win in nine and Drogba contributing only eight goals in all competitions. His fitness problems have been well documented, not least the bout of malaria which was diagnosed in November.

Drogba told the Sun: "Injuries and the malaria have damaged my performances. I am still not 100% but I am fighting in each match to improve my playing levels and help the team. This season has been complicated for me by physical problems. It has not been easy to regain my strength but we need the points and my presence is necessary. I have always sacrificed for the team - and Chelsea need me.''

Drogba has Malaria!?!?!?

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Didier Drogba was left on the bench for Sunday's defeat at Liverpool

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Didier Drogba has been suffering with malaria.

Drogba is believed to have had malaria for several weeks and, having been left out of the starting line-up for the game against Liverpool as a result of a fever, tests on Monday night confirmed the presence of the disease.

However, Ancelotti revealed Drogba is now fit again and is likely to be available to face Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

"We found out last night when blood tests showed he had malaria," Ancelotti said. "I don't know where he got it from.

"He had a problem. He has this virus and, obviously, he lost power and training. He lost his condition. He's had treatment and now he's okay. He'll come back immediately in the best condition.

Drogba returns but still no Lampard for Chelsea

Didier Drogba is back but Frank Lampard will remain a frustrated observer as Chelsea look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League when struggling Wolves visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti hit by Rooney questions.

While striker Drogba is ready to return after missing the last two games with a virus, Lampard continues to work on the comeback trail. England midfielder Lampard has been out of action since August 28 following a hernia operation, but is slowly closing in on full fitness.

"Frank is progressing really well,'' assistant first-team coach Paul Clement confirmed. "He had a terrific session earlier in the week with [assistant fitness coach] Chris Jones doing some individual work. He is really pushing himself. Frank is very frustrated and can't wait to get back. We have missed him and we look forward to him returning.''

While Drogba will give manager Carlo Ancelotti fresh options in attack, with Alex also not yet able to return to the first-team fold as he recovers from a thigh problem, it will again be something of a makeshift backline. Branislav Ivanovic, though, has enjoyed the experience of playing alongside captain John Terry at the heart of the defence.

"To play with John is a great experience for every player,'' said Serbia international Ivanovic, who can also play on the right. "He gives to every player great confidence and I just try with him to give my best on the pitch.''

Brazilian midfielder Ramires missed the midweek Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow because of an ankle injury, but should be back in contention. Striker Salomon Kalou played his first game since sustaining a thigh strain in the Carling Cup defeat against Newcastle last month and produced an impressive display at Luzhniki Stadium - the venue of Chelsea's heartbreaking Champions League final penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United in 2008.

Blues captain Terry paid tribute to the support of the travelling fans in Moscow. The England defender hopes another victory over the Russians at Stamford Bridge next month would enable Ancelotti to give some of his players a welcome breather.

"The support we get up and down the country is brilliant and it is especially so when you come to places like Russia. It is tiring enough for us players, but when the fans have to get up and go in to do a nine-to-five job it is great and we want to show our support to them as they do to us,'' Terry said.

"It would be very good to qualify early with the games coming thick and fast in the Premier League. With not only us, but other sides picking up injuries it will be nice if we can get the job done early on and maybe we can then rest a few players.''

via ESPNSoccernet